Challenge 2021-make this your best year on the water
Get down to the club – they’re ready to welcome you
Our affiliated clubs and venues have worked incredibly hard to provide Covid-secure environments and activities and are now all set for a new season of providing fun, family-friendly times afloat for all ages and skill levels.
We’ve seen a surge in windsurfing and cruising alongside new racing formats, paddle-boarding, radio-controlled sailing and lots of opportunities for simply messing about in boats! So why not pop down to your local club? They’re ready and waiting to welcome back members and looking forward to meeting new ones!
"The club’s been there for us all with an energy and enthusiasm which has helped keep us all ‘buoyant’ … it’s a club with a huge heart,” Jennie Clark, commenting on the community spirit of Ripon Sailing Club during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“As I paddle out onto the reservoir, surrounded by the Shropshire countryside, with a kingfisher shooting by and the tranquillity the space has to offer, I find that all my stresses and worries disappear. It’s a place where I can reset and recharge," Paddleboarder Craig Jackson, Chelmarsh Sailing Club.
Find your local club for a memorable season afloat!
Rediscover your passion for boating
If you’ve been away from sailing for a long time, why not try one of our ReDiscover Sailing sessions? From 2 April, our affiliated clubs are running sessions aimed at reintroducing past sailors back to boating and helping everyone to make the most of 2021 when we are finally able to get afloat again.
Introduce a friend to boating
If you know someone who would love to give sailing a try, then they’ll love the Discover sailing sessions. These free or low-cost taster sessions at local clubs across the country are designed to introduce newcomers and will be running from May onwards, in line with any local or national government restrictions.
“We will have sailors back on the water, celebrating their love for the sport and sharing this love with those whose sailing journey is yet to begin,” Michelle Gent, RYA Programmes Manager.
Rediscover or discover a club near you!
Slow down and try cruising your dinghy
Step into the slow lane and explore beautiful inland and coastal locations with the simplicity of dinghy cruising. Whether you are a solo explorer or wanting a Swallows and Amazon adventure with your children, the possibilities are endless for creating memorable moments on the water.
Want to give it a go? We’ve created a series of downloadable RYA Dingy Trails to provide inspiration for getting started with day trips in sheltered waters across the UK, including Brownsea Island, Great Cumbrae in Scotland, Rutland Water, Hickling Broad, Milford Haven Waterway and Ullswater, with more to follow!
“My father and I launched his Wildcat dinghy off a Dorset beach… then spent a day landing on Crusoe-esque sandbanks and evading ‘pirates’ … it was a trip as heroic as any circumnavigation.” James Stewart, reminiscing about a cruising adventure aged seven.
Find your sense of adventure with an RYA Dingy Trail
Upgrade your summer staycation plans
Whether your end goal is to spend more quality down time on the water, to travel, to compete, to work, or to advance your career; there’s an RYA training course for you!
Our courses aim to help build confidence and make you a useful member of a crew – from practical advice and gaining some on the water experience through to taking the helm for the first time.
“Flexible learning is a great option for those who have a busy work/life schedule… 2020 was a crazy year but we’re very happy that we were fortunate enough to complete this course while staying at home.” Emma Gossage, aged 23, who with sister Beth, aged 21, completed the RYA Day Skipper Shorebased course for an introduction to chartwork, navigation, meteorology and seamanship.
Take your skills to the next level – find an RYA Training course or centre
Hone those winning ways
As our world class British Sailing Team prepare to go for gold at the Tokyo Olympics, you can follow the team via our social media channels in the countdown to the Games. Perhaps you’ll find inspiration to take part in some of the many planned regattas in 2021.
Whether you are looking for regular club racing, a family-friendly regatta or a major race week on the coast, a dinghy class open meeting or a national championship, there will be many ways in which you can compete either for fun or to bring home a trophy in 2021!
Looking for a competitive edge? Visit RYA Training to find the perfect Beginner, Intermediate or Advanced racing course for sailing and windsurfing today!
Help protecting our playground
Even small changes can have a big impact! Cutting waste, switching to re-usable bottles, cleaning with eco-friendly detergents, preventing oil spills, or taking the time to clean-check-dry equipment to stop invasive species from hitching a ride can all make a real difference.
Make a difference in 2021! Find out more at www.thegreenblue.org.uk and follow @TheGreenBlue on Facebook.
Join our community!
We're here for people like you who love being on the water, enjoying the freedom of cruising open waters or inland waterways, or the thrill of racing. Whether you're a beginner or an expert we're here to help you get the most from your time on the water.
“Every time I have needed advice or a service from the RYA, it has been totally professional and my expectations have been met fully. I ‘belong’. I would not think of boating without membership.” John, Gold Personal Member.
Love boating? Join us!